Legionella Risk Assessment for a Sports Club and Leisure Facility

H2O Comply recently completed a Legionella Risk Assessment for a sports club with changing rooms, showers, stored water and changing levels of use throughout the year. The assessment identified several practical ways to improve water hygiene, including regular flushing during quieter periods, routine shower cleaning, temperature monitoring and checks before facilities return to full use after a seasonal closure. We provided the club with a clear and manageable plan to help them maintain good water hygiene and support ongoing compliance.

Sports clubs and leisure facilities often have very different patterns of use depending on the time of year.

During busy periods, showers, changing rooms and toilets may be used several times each week by members, staff and visiting teams. However, during quieter periods, some facilities may be used much less frequently or not at all.

This change in water use can be important when managing Legionella risk.

When taps and showers are not used regularly, water can remain within sections of the system for longer periods. This is why water hygiene procedures need to reflect how a building is actually used throughout the year.

Understanding How the Club Was Used

One of the main considerations was the difference between busy and quiet periods.

During the main sporting season, the changing rooms and showers were used regularly. However, this is reduced during breaks in fixtures, holiday periods and quieter parts of the year.

Some outlets that were used frequently during the season could remain unused for longer periods when activity is reduced.

This meant the assessment needed to consider more than the condition of the water system on the day of the visit.

We also looked at how the club operated throughout the year and how periods of reduced use were managed.

This helped us provide recommendations that reflected the real needs of the facility rather than applying a standard approach.

Reviewing the Water System

The assessment included a review of the club’s stored water and the way water was supplied to the showers, changing rooms and other facilities.

Sports clubs often develop over time. Changing areas may be extended, new showers may be added and parts of the water system may be altered as the organisation grows.

These changes are not necessarily a problem, but it is important to understand how the complete system operates.

Our assessment helped identify the main parts of the water system and any areas that required further attention or ongoing monitoring.

The club was then provided with clear recommendations based on the conditions found during the visit.

Managing Less Frequently Used Taps and Showers

Regular flushing was one of the main recommendations.

Some taps and showers were used less often during quieter periods. This meant water could remain within parts of the system for longer than usual.

A regular flushing programme can help maintain water movement when normal use is reduced.

However, the system also needed to be practical.

Many sports clubs are supported by a combination of employees, committee members and volunteers. Any monitoring programme therefore, needs to be clear and easy to manage.

H2O Comply recommended a straightforward approach based on the club’s layout and usage.

Relevant outlets could be identified, responsibilities assigned and simple records maintained.

This would help the club keep track of completed checks while reducing the risk of less frequently used areas being overlooked.

Shower Cleaning and Maintenance

The changing room showers were another important part of the assessment.

Shower heads and hoses can collect scale and deposits over time, particularly where they are used regularly or where water remains within the equipment between uses.

Routine cleaning and maintenance can help keep shower equipment in good condition and support the club’s wider water hygiene procedures.

We reviewed how the showers were currently managed and identified where improvements could be made.

The recommendations were based on the type of equipment, how often the showers were used and the seasonal nature of the facility. The aim was not to introduce unnecessary work. Instead, the club received a practical maintenance approach that could be included within its existing cleaning and building management routines.

Water Temperature Checks

Water temperature monitoring was also reviewed as part of the Legionella Risk Assessment.

Regular checks can help confirm that the hot and cold water systems are operating as expected.

They can also help identify changes that may require further investigation.

H2O Comply provided recommendations on suitable monitoring and record-keeping.

The process was designed to remain proportionate to the size of the facility and easy for the club to maintain.

Keeping clear records provides a useful overview of the water system and helps the responsible person identify any changes over time.

It can also provide evidence that water hygiene procedures are being completed regularly.

Preparing for Quieter Periods and Reopening

Seasonal use was particularly important within this assessment.

Sports clubs may experience quieter periods at the end of a season, during holidays or when fixtures are reduced.

Facilities may also close temporarily for maintenance or building work.

When showers and changing areas have been used less frequently, suitable checks should be completed before normal activity resumes.

The assessment provided the club with recommendations for managing these periods.

This included flushing relevant outlets, checking water temperatures and reviewing the condition of shower equipment before reopening.

Planning these checks in advance can help make the process easier.

Rather than dealing with water hygiene at the last minute, the club can include the required actions within its normal reopening and maintenance procedures.

A Practical Water Hygiene Plan

Following the assessment, H2O Comply provided the club with a clear report and recommended monitoring plan.

The guidance covered the main areas identified during the visit, including:

• less frequently used taps and showers
• regular flushing
• shower cleaning and maintenance
• water temperature checks
• periods of seasonal or reduced use

The recommendations were designed to be practical and achievable.

Water hygiene procedures are most effective when they become part of normal building management. Clear responsibilities also help ensure that important checks are not missed.

The club could identify who would oversee the programme, who would complete individual tasks and where records would be stored.

This created a more consistent approach without adding unnecessary complexity.

Supporting Water Hygiene in Sports and Leisure Facilities

This assessment showed how seasonal usage can affect water hygiene within sports clubs and leisure facilities.

A building may be very busy during one part of the year and experience much lower water use during another.

Without a suitable plan, less frequently used outlets, shower maintenance and reopening checks can easily be overlooked.

The Legionella Risk Assessment gave the club a clearer understanding of its water system and the practical steps required to manage it.

The recommendations were tailored to the facility and designed around the way it operated.

As the club changes, the water hygiene plan should also be reviewed.

New showers, changes to opening times or alterations to the building may affect how water is used.

Regular reviews can help ensure that existing procedures remain appropriate.